On Dec. 6 at 1:11 p.m. EST/U.S., NASA AIRS infrared data revealed the strongest thunderstorms (purple) within Typhoon Bopha surrounded the center of circulation and were in bands of thunderstorms north and northeast of the center, just skirting the west coast of Luzon, the northern Philippines. AIRS is an instrument that flies aboard NASA's Aqua satellite.

Credit: NASA JPL, Ed Olsen

The coldest cloud tops indicate the strongest storms with the heaviest rain, and AIRS data revealed they surrounded the center of circulation and were in bands of thunderstorms north and northeast of the center, just skirting the west coast of Luzon, the northern Philippines. Cloud top temperatures in those areas were colder than -63 Fahrenheit (-52 Celsius). Satellite data showed the Bopha's eye on Dec. 7 was about 11 nautical miles in diameter.

On Dec. 7 at 1500 UTC (10 a.m. EST, U.S.), Typhoon Bopha's maximum sustained winds were back up to 110 knots (126 mph/203.7 kph). Bopha was in the South China Sea near 15.7 north latitude and 116.3 east longitude about 280 nautical miles (322.2 miles/518.6 km) west of Manila, the Philippines.

Bopha was moving to the north-northeast at 9 knots (10.3 mph/16/6 kph), but is expected to make a cyclonic loop over the weekend of Dec. 8 and 9, with its center staying at sea. The west coast of Luzon may experience rough surf over the next several days as Bopha makes its circle.

After Bopha loops over open ocean, it is expected to weaken and turn southwest after the weekend.

Cellulose obtained from wood has amazing material properties. Empa researchers are now equipping the biodegradable material with additional functionalities to produce implants for cartilage diseases using 3D printing.

It all starts with an ear. Empa researcher Michael Hausmann removes the object shaped like a human ear from the 3D printer and explains:

The phenomenon of so-called superlubricity is known, but so far the explanation at the atomic level has been missing: for example, how does extremely low friction occur in bearings? Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institutes IWM and IWS jointly deciphered a universal mechanism of superlubricity for certain diamond-like carbon layers in combination with organic lubricants. Based on this knowledge, it is now possible to formulate design rules for supra lubricating layer-lubricant combinations. The results are presented in an article in Nature Communications, volume 10.

One of the most important prerequisites for sustainable and environmentally friendly mobility is minimizing friction. Research and industry have been dedicated...